Dossa, also an accused in the case, injured Salem in the morning with a sharp spoon, Ramesh Bagwe, Minister of State (Home), told journalists outside the jail. The incident took place after 6 a.m., when convicts are usually brought out of the prison briefly.

“His [Dossa's] intention was to kill Salem. The immediate provocation for the attack will be known only after an investigation. The two were accused in the same case. They would be together most of the time and even at meals,” he said.

Senior police inspector Vasant Tajne pointed to the old rivalry between Salem and Dossa as the reason behind the assault. Salem sustained superficial injures on the nose, cheek, neck, hand and ear and was treated at a hospital. “A probe will be conducted to find out how the spoon made its way to the jail. Action will be taken against officers responsible.”

Late at night, Salem and Dossa were shifted out of the Arthur Road Jail, DIG (Prisons) Bipin Bihari told The Hindu. He declined to disclose where they were taken.

Unconfirmed reports said Salem was taken to the Taloja jail and Dossa to the Thane jail. Police have registered a case of attempt to murder and criminal intimidation against Dossa and his associate Abdul Karim Sheikh.